With affordable housing becoming scarce, some home owners are turning to tiny homes versus the traditional built home. Living in a tiny home comes with it's challenges - mainly space. In order to pull of a tiny home existence, minimalizing must be accomplished.
According to the International Residential Code, Tiny homes are a livable space less than 400 square feet. Lately, there have been a variety of these smaller homes entering the marketplace. But I don't see them on our Arizona Regional MLS. Searching for the latest trends in tiny homes, I scoured Youtube.com to find any information on this segment of the housing industry.
In Maricopa County, tiny homes or ADU's can be in a rear yard, but can't exceed 30% of the space and do require setbacks. This is more information for Maricopa County regarding guest quarters and attachments.
Searching for tiny homes in Arizona, I found a plethora of options that home owners have created for their own homes. Whether they are made from shipping containers, converted sheds, or newly constructed, the differences are vast and they typically cost less than full-on construction. It was very interesting looking at the creative storage solutions underneath staircases, overhead cabinets, and built into furniture options.
As you might guess, with affordable housing on the decline, other housing options are being explored. A tiny home can be affordable and customized for a home owners' particular needs. Buying land, or using a family owners backyard might be options for some.
There are many builders and others who have shared their information on YouTube in your city, state. Make sure to check zoning and the requirements if your tiny home has wheels. The minute you install wheels, your tiny home becomes a recreational vehicle and is subject to other insurance and building codes.
One such YouTube I found included a Navajo couple and their son who were priced out of an apartment. The rent was so high they had no budget left for food, gas or other essentials. The solution - build a tiny home that is off-grid. The family built their tiny home from a converted metal shed. Their tiny home includes an outside shower, garden, and animals. They have repurposed materials from their wedding into their garden and surroundings. The results are surprising and the surroundings, blissfully serene! After viewing their story, I felt sharing this would provide answers and information to others who might also be considering a tiny home.
Imagine a family of 5 in a tiny home! Yes, it's true a family of 5 left Scottsdale for Northern Arizona to live in an Airstream trailer but then moved into their tiny home. After losing a family member, realizing life is short, and reducing their belongings by 90%, they settled into their tiny home.
They purchased this historic property that includes a historic cabin that the family uses as play space for their 3 boys!
It's been great researching tiny homes in Arizona in the tiny home world. Watch for a podcast produced by the National Association of REALTORS® in July where Christopher Matos-Rogers, REALTOR®, Coldwell Banker, Atlanta; and I talk about sustainability and tiny homes!
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